chapter seven

7 Test user attractiveness

 

This chapter covers

  • Why prototypes are powerful for early user attractiveness testing
  • Selecting the right interface designs
  • Choosing appropriate tools for early prototyping in the AI context
  • Addressing needs around uncertainty, transparency, feedback loops and chatbots
  • Preparing and executing user testing effectively the first time

It is now time to return to our key users. Although we previously engaged users and stakeholders to understand their needs and define the corresponding problem statement, we then shifted our focus to the enterprise, data, analytics, and architecture to shape the solution and articulate the approach statement. At this stage, we must reignite our design mindset and pull out the design thinking toolbox to ensure that the proposed solution aligns with user needs and preferences, ultimately driving adoption and correct use.

Note

This chapter focuses on testing user attractiveness, while the next chapter examines stakeholder buy-in: the willingness of key decision-makers to support and approve the solution. We generally recommend starting with users, but stakeholder validation can also be conducted in parallel or even first, depending on where the greatest uncertainty lies and your assessment of priorities.

7.1 Algorithmic pricing, human constraints: A pricing case from retail banking

When Zerrabank first reached out to us, it was not because something was broken. It was because something felt constrained.

7.1.1 A shift from products to customers

7.1.2 Securing key user acceptance at Zerrabank

7.2 Testing user attractiveness in the early stage of an AI project

7.2.1 The benefits of prototyping early

7.2.2 AI-specific considerations in user interface prototype design

7.3 Building effective prototypes for early user validation

7.3.1 Selecting the right level of prototype fidelity

7.3.2 Selecting the right type of low-fidelity prototypes for AI solutions

7.3.3 Core principles of early prototyping

7.3.4 AI-specific aspects of user interfaces

7.4 Testing user attractiveness in practice

7.4.1 Before the user tests

7.4.2 During the user tests

7.4.3 After each user test

7.5 How we gained user and product manager acceptance at Zerrabank

7.6 Summary